Developer wants to convert shuttered tavern to microbrewery

June 15, 2011|By Dan Dearth

HAGERSTOWN — Mike Deming, president of Demcore Development, said Wednesday during a hearing before the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County that he was waiting for approval from several levels of government to redevelop the property.

The plan includes the construction of a microbrewery on the lower level of the property and about 22 apartments on the top level.

The Short Stop Tavern has been closed for several years because it wasn’t a good business decision to keep it open, Deming said after the hearing.

He said he would like to open the microbrewery within the next 18 months in the front of the property that housed the former Barnwood Books at the corner of West Antietam and South Potomac streets.

The license from the Short Stop Tavern, which is near the rear of the property in the first block of West Antietam Street, would be used to operate the microbrewery.

He said it was too early to tell when construction would start on the apartments.

The liquor board said it was willing to work with Deming until he finds out whether the government will approve the project.